WeatherBug operator to measure greenhouse gases

Germantown-based Earth Networks, known for its weather observation network and web applications, says it hopes the greenhouse network will improve understanding of the atmospheric gases blamed for global warming.

The company says only a few dozen continuous greenhouse gas observation locations currently exist, while its network will initially have 100 worldwide - beginning with 50 in the United States. Earth Networks says that will allow researchers to track emissions and changes over time.

Earth Networks says it also is establishing the Earth Networks Center for Climate Research at the Scripps Institution in La Jolla, Calif.